ADC accuses APC of staging paid, sparsely‑filled rally in Kaduna ahead of 2027 elections

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC‑PCC) criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the ruling party’s Northwest zonal flag‑off rally in Kaduna on Saturday, 24 October 2026. The event, held at Kaduna Township Stadium, was described by ADC‑PCC Director of Media and Publicity Kola Ologbondiyan as a “shameful spectacle” because many seats were empty despite claims that supporters had been mobilised from the seven states of the Northwest and beyond.

Ologbondiyan alleged that participants were paid between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 each to attend the rally. He said the stadium, which can accommodate roughly 5,000 people, was “scantily filled” and that the audience’s reaction to APC leaders’ speeches was lukewarm. The council also noted that some attendees left chanting the Hausa phrase “Ba mu yi,” which Ologbondiyan interpreted as a rejection of the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s policies.

Background

The rally was intended to showcase the APC’s political strength in the Northwest ahead of the 2027 general election. According to the ADC‑PCC, the party had promised to bring crowds from across the zone, yet the visible turnout fell short of expectations. Ologbondiyan’s statement repeated claims that the APC has repeatedly recycled promises from its 2015, 2019 and 2023 election campaigns without delivering substantive results. The council also criticised Tinubu for blaming opposition leaders for Nigeria’s economic hardship, particularly after the removal of fuel subsidies, which it said has increased pressure on households.

Why it matters

The ADC‑PCC’s accusations strike at the heart of the APC’s perceived popularity in a key electoral region. If the rally indeed relied on paid attendance, it could undermine the party’s narrative of broad-based support and affect voter confidence ahead of the 2027 polls. The council’s call for the APC to apologise for economic difficulties and to prepare for a peaceful transfer of power reflects broader opposition concerns about the government’s handling of fuel subsidy removal and rising living costs. The statements also highlight the political rivalry between the ADC and the ruling party, with the ADC positioning itself as an alternative for voters dissatisfied with the status quo.

What happens next

The ADC-PCC called on the APC to stop what it characterized as unproductive political gatherings and instead concentrate on resolving economic issues ahead of the upcoming electoral period. While no formal legal or electoral challenge was mentioned, the council’s criticism is likely to feature in the lead‑up to the 2027 general election, where both parties will vie for support in the Northwest. The APC has not publicly responded to the ADC’s allegations as of the time of writing.